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Do you remember Jeremiah Castille?
There’s only one reason the name is still relevant. Castille was the Denver Broncos defensive back who forced Ernest Byner to fumble right before Byner would score the game-tying touchdown. Castille robbed the Cleveland Browns and their fans of getting a measure of revenge for what happened in 1986. John Elway’s “The Drive” robbed the Browns of a chance to win the AFC in 1986, and Castille’s “The Fumble” did the same in 1987.
Saturday night, a more well-known player in Boulder, Colorado, did the same. Colorado’s all-everything, Travis Hunter, saved the game-tying touchdown in overtime in the Buffaloes 38-31 win over Baylor.
For those scoring at home, that was the same score as Castille’s Broncos AFC Championship game win.
For Colorado, “The Fumble” wasn’t the only replayed history moment in its win. Shedeur Sanders threw a “Hail Mary” for a touchdown on the last play of regulation.
Of course, that reminded fans of another Colorado “Hail Mary.” Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook will always live in Colorado history as one of the defining plays during the Buffaloes’ Golden Age. Stewart’s pass went over 70 yards in the air, and Westbrook hauled in a deflected pass that would send Colorado home with a win at Michigan.
Just a year ago, the first half of the season felt different. Deion Sanders had turned Colorado into more of a traveling circus than a college football program. There were celebrities on the sideline. It seemed like every 15 minutes, there was another branding promo masquerading as a press conference.
When things went south, coaches and fans were gleeful.
This season feels different. The celebrities are gone, and Sanders is no longer in the first segment of every college pregame show on television.
Colorado games feel more like football, even if this team is no better than last year’s.
Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has brought a sense of maturity to the offense, even if the talent on the offensive line is still lacking.
At times, the defense doesn’t look as clueless as they did a year ago. Down 31-24 in the 4th quarter, Colorado’s defense stood strong on a possession that Baylor started in the Buffaloes’ territory. That possession ended with a missed field goal.
It’s easy to forget what Sander inherited. It was a program in shambles that needed a leader. That meant a veteran head coach with experience building a program in years past.
Colorado went a different route. They knew they were hiring a coach who was also a celebrity. Not only did the school buy into the hype, they embraced it.
Sanders has put Colorado back on the map even if he proves not to be the long-term solution. Barring something unforeseen, he will leave the program in a better position than he got it.
